topgun2

David - Somewhere in your LE2 you should have a solar disconnect switch similar to THIS ONE. It is most likely located under the street side bed area. Switch it to the "OFF" position and your panels will not be transmitting electricity to the batteries. You should disconnect anything that runs off 12 volt power. This would include your inverter and propane detector. Also turn off the two circuit breakers that are most likely near the solar disconnect switch shown above that look like THIS. Simply press the red button down until the little yellow flag pops out of the side. Note that when it comes time to turn these back on all you have to do is press the yellow flag back into the case. Don't forget to take pictures of the batteries from several different positions (as Sherry mentions above) so that you can reconnect things in the proper manner. Bill

I thought that I heard you go by. Sorry that we could not have made your short stay here in the NC mountains a bit toastier. But, it sure is pretty. Unfortunately, I'm guessing that the temps down in Coastal SC were not so much different. However, as you know, it will not be but a day or two until things warm up considerably down there and you can get to that first real cleaning of your new baby. Bill

The most fool proof, easiest, least expensive way to monitor propane tank levels is to simply leave one tank's valve closed. When the cooktop will not light then switch to the other tank and get the first tank refilled. 😇 Bill

Add to this discussion the impact of government regulation with and without extensions of deadlines for various things like MPG and emissions. I've read that the demise of the Tundra's famous V-8 was due primarily to efforts by Toyota to get their line of vehicles at or under proposed emissions standards. Bill

Just got to love that legal disclaimer near the end! Bill

Boondocking is a piece of cake with a solar equipped Oliver. It gives you freedom and flexibility while allowing you access to some of the most beautiful places. Plus, in many of these places you are far from the maddening crowds. Good luck! Bill

It should be obvious - but - if you ever need to resort to using water from streams and/or lakes, be certain to re-sanitize that fresh water tank. On the rare occasion that I've had to resort to using water from lakes and/or streams, I've simply filled my "solar shower" (like THIS ONE) or just jumped in. Be a bit careful on that jumping in thing since at altitude the water is usually VERY COLD. Also, if at all possible, do not use soap in the lake/stream even if it says on the label that it is environmentally OK to do so. Bill

Yep - congrates and stick around the Mothership for a few days. Certainly do not plan on coming East in that there is ANOTHER storm predicted possibly starting as early as Thursday night. I do not believe that this storm will have much (if any) effect on the Hohenwald area. Bill

! - always keep those portable containers in the back of the truck as full as you can unless you know there will be water available at you next stop or along the way. 2- Get creative on your water sources - get one of THESE so that you can turn water "on" from almost any spigot. Gas stations, WalMarts, convenience stores, many town water treatment plants, fire stations, police stations, etc., etc. You may have to pay a small fee or at least offer to pay for the water. Same thing goes for commercial camp grounds. 3 - Get one of THESE so you can get water from spigots that do not have a "normal" threaded end. 4 - Don't forget that while you do not want to drink it - mountain streams are reasonably clean water which certainly can be used for bathing. And, with the "winterization port" on the Ollie you can draw water directly into your fresh water tank from that stream/lake if you have a long enough hose. Bill

Your best bet is to keep in communication with your Sales Agent at Oliver. I know that Oliver will "store" your new Ollie free for a period of time and if that is not enough then they will continue to "store" it for you for a fee. Good luck! Bill

Those ball valve shutoffs usually have yellow handles and are usually positioned perpendicular to the supply line when the flow of gas is meant to be off. However, even if the handles are in the "on" position there should not be any gas flowing unless there is something connected to them or unless the valve at the end of the propane line is faulty. Bill

The last time in was in Vail Valley there wasn't anyplace you could get bottles refilled. You could "swap" the 20 pounders but there were no refilling stations. I don't really think that door is all that ugly. Besides - who sees it but you?

DunnYet - Glad you two are with us and really happy to see that you will be getting your Ollie soon. Unfortunately, I don't know the answer to your question. But, the person who does know is your Sales Agent at Oliver and/or Jason Essary (Service Department Manager). Bill

I agree with Mike above. Short answers to questions 1 - yes 2 - no 3 - yes. Be very careful with this weather that we are having - very unusual. And, it is currently forecast for another winter storm to come through the southeast somewhere between Friday and Sunday that will dramatically lower temperatures. Bill

I'll let Matt know and see if we can get this back in order. Bill

In a week I'm guessing that it should be a bit warmer in SC than it is now and tomorrow (Sunday ). A major ice storm is set to begin any minute now for virtually all of northern South Carolina and last through Sunday afternoon. Ice accumulations of up to 1 full inch are being forecast. There are storm warnings issued for the entire area all the way over to Myrtle Beach! In addition, there is another winter storm forecast for Friday (January 21, 2022). Very unusual weather for this part of the country to say the least. Please be very care full with that lovely shiny new Ollie and be sure to stay warm! Bill

I believe that those propane tank rings are made of plastic. Bill

Weather update as of 6pm January 14, 2022: The forecast for Hohenwald for late Saturday night into Sunday afternoon is for rain changing to snow and then snow tapering off. Total snow accumulation is forecast to only be an inch or so. Unfortunately, this same forecast for Western North Carolina is not so "promising". Brevard, NC is forecast to receive upwards of 18 to 24 inches of snow. That's a bunch for virtually anywhere. But, for southern places that on average get only 6" of snow for the entire winter, its a major event. Break out the sleds because certainly there will not be much else going on around here for a few days! Bill

I'd second Overland's suggestion of self sealing silicone tape. I always have a couple of rolls in the Ollie as it can be used for (very) temporary repairs of water pipes, electrical issues, grip tape, etc. Bill

Another interesting use for those Andersen Levelers too. You keep adding more "stuff" and ScubaRx will have to start thinking about a bigger truck. 😇 Bill

I've been over/on the Beartooth Highway numerous times - but - always on motorcycle. Having said that, I would not hesitate to tow my Elite II over it with my F-150 3.5 liter twin turbo. There are plenty of pull-outs for both letting faster traffic by and for observing the wonderful scenery. Be sure to use them in either case. Note that there is really not all that much at the northern end (Red Lodge) and/or I-90. So, if your intent is to only go for the drive I'd leave the camper near Cooke City, drive the Beartooth both ways, camp and then either head into Yellowstone National Park (northeast entrance) and the Lamar Valley (bunches of animals) or head towards Cody via the Chief Joseph Highway - another wonderful road. Last year (2021) they were doing construction on the Beartooth and closing the entire road after (I believe) 7pm. Be sure to check both when it opens for the season and for any construction details. Bill

Please keep a very close eye on that weather. There is forecast to be "heavy" (3 to 12 inches) of snow in the western North Carolina area on this Sunday. I believe that this storm will be moving to the south and east of Hohenwald BUT it is better to be sure. Also, in coming to Hohenwald from the west (Dallas area), this storm will be diving from the north through the Midwest on Saturday. Certainly interstates should be OK by the time you get there. But, again, keep that eye on conditions. Bill p.s. I agree with Mike above - test your systems at the factory camp ground and then winterize if you must.

Yep - I cut an old drinking water hose to about three feet. The relatively large opening at the top is great for those Forest Service camp grounds that have the hand pumps with a spigot that tends to spray water. Mine are about 9 years old and still have a bunch of life in them. As you might remember, I primarily use them while fly fishing out West for two months each summer. As with most of my things I do not abuse them and they ride in the bed of my F-150 most of the time - note that they do fit beneath my tonneau cover (barely). The small plastic wheels can be "interesting" when pulling a full container over road rocks (1/2 to 3/4 inch trap rock for instance). But, this still beats the heck out of trying to carry that much weight. If the road/path is too bad, I simply leave them in the back of the truck and drive to the water source. While the handles are made of plastic they have never been an issue. The large "caps" at the tops of the containers can leak when the containers are stored on their sides if not tightened down properly or if the washers inside have worn. Bill

While there are/is circumstances in which an external water pump could come in handy - pumping water from a bladder in the back of the tow vehicle for instance - for the most part you can simply use the Oliver on-board water pump via the "winterization port" to pump water into the Oliver. As far as bladders or other water containers are concerned - I carry two 8 gallon containers like THIS for extra water. The wheels on these containers are VERY handy in that if you have to carry the water very far it becomes heavy (just over 8 pounds per gallon). Bill

Bugeyedriver towed his Elite for a number of years and for a bunch of miles with a Tacoma before trading it for an F-150 Ford. But as ScubaRx says, you will be more comfortable, safer and have easier towing with a 1/2 ton vehicle. Bill